Fernando Savater

Mark Twain once said, “In our country we have
those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience,
and the prudence never to practice either.” In thewitty
genius’ land, the United States, such irony suggests that people should not to
waste the opportunities that democracy offers. But in Cuba’s case any
humorous comment is meaningless, since neither freedom of expression nor
freedom of conscience exist … like almost all other freedoms. Any “imprudent” or
brave attempt to act as if these freedoms were available is suppressed with direct
brutality. Journalists and political dissidents who are jailed, tortured, and
harassed serve as an example.